Whenever you are organising a major renovation, home extension or new building, a residential structural engineer near me will probably appear as a web search somewhere in the proceedings. Although it is tempting to describe it simply as a technical position it is probably one of the most critical partners in your project and he/she will help to translate your dream design into one that is not only beautiful, but soundly built and safe and that fully meets the UK building regulations.
This guide will take you through what a structural engineer really does, when you will be glad to involve one, what qualifications to consider and how Extension Architecture is effortlessly integrated with structural engineers to realise your concepts in full colour.
Finding the Right Structural Engineer for Your Build or Renovation
The term structural engineer near me can be seen by many developers or a homeowner as they type it in the search engine during the beginning phase of the planning. However, it is not only a matter of location but the need to have someone of just the right technical expertise, experience, and communicate effectively to have a smooth running project.
The perfect structural engineer will evaluate the current structure of your property, calculate the loads and the stresses and design a safe and efficient system of supports when you want to make some changes such as eliminating a wall, adding a loft conversion or erecting a two-storey rear extension.
When you engage an architectural office such as Extension Architecture we will usually assist you to identify a quality structural engineer and in the case of an integrated service we may invite a structural engineer to be a part of our team. In any case, being aware of what this position involves, can make your process less stressful.
What Does a Structural Engineer Actually Do?
Essentially, the work of a structural engineer involves ensuring that the structures we use can stand the forces applied to them: grains, wind, load, burst of water and even movement of soil. Whereas architects are interested in the design and assembly of your project, structural engineers make sure that what is drawn will be able to stand up and even be in place in many years to come.
In their work they often include:
- Structural investigation of old structures
- Steel beams, joists and foundations calculations
- Analysis of load-bearing walls
- Structural design of frameworks
- Checks to see the cracks or subsidence
- Pre-planning or construction control structural reports
- Cooperation with architects and constructors in the process of construction
When you go searching, therefore, next time, “structural engineer near me”, you are actually talking of getting a person who will make sure that the structure, literally, is sweet and strong.
When You’ll Need One for Home Extensions or Alterations
Not all of your projects will require the services of a structural engineer, but you will require them when your plans are such as to change any portion of the structural fabric of your house.
Common eventualities where structural engineer is required are:
- Taking down internal walls (or which are load bearing, in particular)
- Development of open plan layouts of large span openings
- Including conventions of lofts or dormer extensions
- Building new floors
- Fitting on large glazing or bi fold doors
- Structural repairs, including cracks, the inclination of floors, or movement
These are not mere formalities. If there are no proper calculations as well as the support then your property may be at stake and this may either create security problems or a botched building inspection.
Key Qualifications and Accreditations to Look For
Now how do you do more than searching online to Google structural engineer near me and actually find someone competent? UK stands on high grounds in regards to engineering professionals and these are the credentials that will best suit your guide:
Chartered status – Chartered Members of The Institution of Structural Engineers (MIStructE) or The Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE) are trained members who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and skill. This way they are guaranteed of having a strict training that keeps them on high standards morally and technically.
Residential projects experience – Structural engineering takes care of many industry sectors and it is therefore important to check that your selected engineer has a desirable experience in residential renovation and extension works of the same kind as yours.
Communication skills – A decent structural engineer is not going to list you an entire pile of calculations you want to shoot yourself from reading. They must be ready to justify their reports and respond to your queries and organize themselves well with your building designer and construction.
How Extension Architecture Collaborates with Structural Engineers
Since Extension Architecture is a full service architectural practice, they do not issue you a set of drawings and then disappear and expect you to handle the rest. They also offer a more comprehensive approach to design and planning and that will be right down to our working very closely with structural engineers right at the start.
This is what the procedure is like with us:
First Meeting – We sit down with you to learn of your objectives, budget and schedule. And when the scope results in structural change, we look into the future to include an engineer.
Measured Survey & Concept Design – When the site has been surveyed and preliminary design concepts developed we discuss them with the structural engineer to get his preliminary comments.
Technical Drawings & Structural Calculations – Once the designs are fixed then we hand over all the relevant drawings to the structural engineer to get the detailed calculations completed and to draw up the structural plans so that the Building Control can accept and approve the work.
Planning Building Control – Take submittals to the local authority, which usually consist of the planning application, and the building control package- normally along with structural calculations.
Structural Phase Support – Our team (at least your structural engineer) would be available to answer any structural questions during construction, examine the progress onsite or issue revised calculations when required.
